By Balqis Jazimah Zahari
Photo KPDN Perak
IPOH: The Perak State Ministry of Domestic Trade (KPDN) successfully raided a store suspected of being used by a subsidized diesel embezzlement syndicate inside the construction material maintenance area in Taman Pengkalan Pertama here yesterday.
The Chief State Enforcement Officer of the Perak KPDN and Cost of Living Office, Mohamed Aznanshah Khalid said, the raid operation by a team of officers and enforcement members at about 1pm was the result of public information and investigation carried out by the Perak KPDN intelligence team for a week in and around Ipoh.
“The results of the investigation found that the modus operandi of this syndicate is to buy diesel fuel at a subsidized price through the original tank of a water tanker over and over again.
“That is about 8 to 10 times with an estimate of 2000 liters a day at several gas stations around Ipoh and trying to obscure the authorities by using this water tanker truck and then transferring the diesel oil from the truck’s original tank to another storage tank and collecting it in the store area,” he said in a statement here today.
Mohamed Aznanshah said, as a result of today’s inspection, as many as 2,400 liters of liquid suspected to be diesel oil were found stored in this premises.
“Also found was an oil suction pump and a truck used to buy diesel oil.
“A 33-year-old local man was arrested for further investigation,” he said.
He said, in connection with that, all the goods were confiscated and the value of the seized goods was estimated at RM87,960.
According to him, the case will be investigated under the Control of Supply Act 1961 and the Control of Supply Regulations 1974.
“A person, other than a corporate body, but including a director or officer of a corporate body who commits an offense against the Supply Control Act 1961 can be fined not more than RM 1 million or not more than three years in prison or both, if convicted.
“While any corporate body that commits an offense against the Supply Control Act 1961, can be fined not more than RM2 million,” he said.
He said, the KPDN would like to give a warning and insist that the Ministry will not compromise with any party found to be involved in syndicates and misuse of these controlled items.
“The public/users are advised to be the eyes and ears of the authorities to provide cooperation if they have any information, especially regarding the activities of diversion of controlled and subsidized goods.
